So, you managed to survive the six weeks of summer hols and then packed off your little darlings to school. But before you’ve even had time to sit and savour the peace, it’s October half term.

And if you are sat at home wondering how you are going to amuse the kids without breaking the bank or entering a single soft play area and lamenting that you aren’t lucky enough to be jetting off to sunnier climates, you’d be forgiven for not actually looking forward to the week-long break at all.

The key thing to do is think positive and try not to let that enthusiasm wane with the appearance of every rain cloud or the sound of every whine. Here are seven steps to a happier half term.

Step one – tire them out

Whatever age your kids are, there is nothing like a bit of exercise to exhaust them. Make sure you always do it in the morning and then you are guaranteed a bit of peace and quiet by the afternoon. In fact, they will leave you alone for fear of being put through the motions again.

Don’t take them to posh swimming pools with lazy rivers, go to good old fashioned leisure centres (which are free in half term) and encourage them to actually swim not splash.

Embrace the Taff Trail and all the beautiful areas around your home and enjoy the joys of autumn with a bracing walk. There’s nothing like a bit of fresh air and exercise to exhaust energy.

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Step two – embrace the rain showers

Look, we live in Wales. It rains. Get over it. The key here is to be prepared. Don’t greet the rain with a sour face and a mood. It’ll soon rub off on the kids whose bad moods are harder to break than yours and remember that rain does not actually have to stop play.

Surely having to take your chances on a downpour with a brolly and some welly boots is far more preferable than have two ankle-biters climbing the walls after eight hours inside.?

And if puddles are good enough for Peppa Pig and her brother George, surely they are good enough for them? Even older kids, who might think walking in the rain is not very ‘cool’ will find it hard not to jump around in a puddle.

Not enthused? Try it, even if it’s just for half an hour. That’s 30 minutes of guilt-free time later after all. And it’s free.

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But, think about what you used to enjoy doing as a child. Colouring in. Fuzzy Felts. Play Dough. And do it all over again.

Get the paint brushes out and indulge your inner Van Gough, buy some pizza bases and create some Jamie Oliver-inspired pizzas or create your hubby’s face in plasticine for a laugh.

Step four – create the havoc elsewhere

Going to someone else’s house for entertainment has huge advantages. Their playroom gets messed up, their Barbies get mixed up, their Lego gets lost, found and then stood on, and their food gets eaten.

And when you need to pay them back? Simple. Study the long term weather forecast, choose a nice day, meet at your house and then GET OUT. Sneaky, but very effective.

Step five – don’t ban the TV or computer games

It’s tempting to say to the kids that they can’t watch TV and have to amuse themselves. But, seriously, banning it won’t help anybody, least of all you. Of course, tell them about how you only got to watch daytime TV for an hour after lunch with The Flumps or Bagpuss, but don’t be daft and ban the box altogether.

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Make them do some sort of activity before you allow any TV/screen time. Make them earn it by tidying their rooms or learning their times tables. It’s amazing what kids will agree to if it means they get the result they want.

Step six – plan ahead

Having some idea of what you want to do each day definitely avoids the ‘I’m boreds’ or ‘What can we do today.’

October half-term nearly always falls around Halloween and this year is no exception which can be a sanity-saver.

So you could spend a whole day thinking up ideas and another day making costumes for the annual Halloween shenanigans.

And if they don’t like Halloween? Umm. Bonfire night activities instead?

Step seven – pack them off to the relatives

Remember parents. You are only human. You only have so much energy and patience. And even if you’ve booked some time off work to spend with the nippers when they are off school, it’s your annual leave too. You don’t have to spend every minute of every day with them.

Grandparents will show them a wonderful time and will spoil them while you have time to spoil yourself.